Bracket for a cup

ABSTRACT

A bracket configured to provide additional functionality to a cup. The bracket includes an upper support band mechanically coupled to a vertical support and configured to fit tightly around an upper cup portion. A lower support band is mechanically coupled to the vertical support and configured to fit tightly around a lower cup portion. An upper support band pocket is attached to the upper support band configured to accommodate an upper portion of a utensil. A lower support band pocket is attached to the lower support band configured to accommodate a lower portion of the utensil. The bracket provides structural support for the cup while accommodating the utensil to consume contents of the cup.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to accessories used in the transportation and service of food.

Prior to embodiments of the disclosed invention, when a cup of instant soup was filled with hot water, the cup became weak and flimsy. As a result the cup could spill its hot contents perhaps on a user causing an injury. Embodiments of the disclosed invention solve this problem.

SUMMARY

A bracket configured to provide additional functionality to a cup. The bracket includes an upper support band mechanically coupled to a vertical support and configured to fit tightly around an upper cup portion. A lower support band is mechanically coupled to the vertical support and configured to fit tightly around a lower cup portion. An upper support band pocket is attached to the upper support band configured to accommodate an upper portion of a utensil. A lower support band pocket is attached to the lower support band configured to accommodate an lower portion of the utensil. The bracket provides structural support for the cup while accommodating the utensil to consume contents of the cup.

In some embodiments, a left folding handle attached to the vertical support. A right folding handle is attached to the vertical support. Both the left folding handle and the right folding handle have a modified cylindrical toroid geometry that contains a series of mirror image arcs that accommodate human fingers and be used to move the bracket and thus the cup.

In some embodiments, the upper support band has an upper support band diameter. The lower support band has a lower support band diameter. The upper support band diameter is greater than the lower support band diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of an embodiment of the invention rotated 180° to illustrate the folding handles.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the folding handles in the deployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, one embodiment of the bracket is designed to surround cup 12. The bracket comprises upper support band 14 mechanically coupled to vertical support 18. Vertical support 18 is mechanically coupled to lower support band 16. Cup 12 will have a known geometry, but typically cup 12 comprises an upper cup portion wider than a lower cup portion. Cup 12 can be filled with contents for human consumption. To accommodate this upper support band 14 has an upper support band diameter which is greater than a lower support band diameter.

Turning to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, vertical support 18 is mechanically coupled to left folding handle 24 and right folding handle 24. The folding handles 24 have a modified cylindrical toroid geometry that contains a series of mirror image arcs which can be effective for accommodating human fingers. As shown in more detail in FIG. 4, folding handles 24 are deployed by folding along left folding line 26 and right folding line 26.

Upper support band 14 is mechanically coupled to upper support band pocket 20. Upper support band pocket 20 has a raised trapezoid shape with a hollow bottom. Lower support band 16 is mechanically coupled to lower support band pocket 22. Lower support band pocket 22 is an extruded arc that extends outward from lower support band 16. Upper support band pocket 20 accommodates an upper portion of utensil 28 while lower support band pocket 22 accommodates a lower portion of utensil 28. In this manner, utensil 28 can be stored and shipped with the bracket and thus with cup 12. While utensil 28 is pictured as a spork, minor variations can result in any utensil being shipped which can include a spoon, knife or chopsticks with minor geometrical changes.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bracket configured to provide additional functionality to a cup; the bracket comprising: an upper support band mechanically coupled to a vertical support and configured to fit tightly around an upper cup portion; a lower support band mechanically coupled to the vertical support and configured to fit tightly around a lower cup portion; an upper support band pocket attached to the upper support band configured to accommodate an upper portion of a utensil; and a lower support band pocket attached to the lower support band configured to accommodate a lower portion of the utensil; wherein the bracket provides structural support for the cup while accommodating the utensil to consume contents of the cup.
 2. The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a left folding handle attached to the vertical support; and a right folding handle attached to the vertical support; wherein the left folding handle and the right folding handle accommodates human figures that can be used to move the bracket and thus the cup.
 3. The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a left folding handle attached to the vertical support; and a right folding handle attached to the vertical support; wherein the left folding handle and the right folding handle have a modified cylindrical toroid geometry that contains a series of mirror image arcs that accommodate human fingers and be used to move the bracket and thus the cup.
 4. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the upper support band has an upper support band diameter; and the lower support band has a lower support band diameter; wherein the upper support band diameter which is greater than the lower support band diameter.
 5. A bracket configured to provide additional functionality to a cup; the bracket comprising: an upper support band mechanically coupled to a vertical support and configured to fit tightly around an upper cup portion; a lower support band mechanically coupled to the vertical support and configured to fit tightly around a lower cup portion; a left folding handle attached to the vertical support; and a right folding handle attached to the vertical support; wherein the left folding handle and the right folding handle accommodate human figures that can be used to move the bracket and thus the cup.
 6. The bracket of claim 5, wherein the left folding handle and the right folding handle have a modified cylindrical toroid geometry that contains a series of mirror image arcs that accommodate human fingers and be used to move the bracket and thus the cup. 